Expectant mums are likely to feel overjoyed, apprehensive, excited and curious about their new arrival.
You are probably experiencing the whole gamut of emotions in this most magical time of your life.
Friends and acquaintances will also be over the moon and will all look forward to the big day with much anticipation.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the whole world would be happy for you and while this is largely the case, sometimes you may encounter an element of negativity.
Of course, your boss might be pleased for you, but chances are he or she might be more preoccupied with how to manage business continuity.
In fact, in this case the business may come squarely in first place and you may have to be particularly persuasive if you are considering flexible working hours for your busy times ahead.
If you are managed by a dinosaur boss or a you are working within a similarly prehistoric organisation, you will need to draw upon all your creativity and powers of influence and persuasion.
If you have a friend and co-worker who has been in your position before, now is the time to have a down-to-earth chat and to see whether she was able to achieve any two-way communication with the boss and how she handled the situation.
While you are at this research stage, talk to other friends in other industries or professions and see what solutions they were able to come up with.
This is the time to be very creative and forward thinking and consider telecommuting or working from home.
The good news is that this is becoming more and more of a trend as companies seek to save overheads.
It's ideal if your job will support this.
Above all else, you must first decide what would be the absolutely ideal situation for you.
That it to say, you must be careful of what you are wishing for! Look for an ideal scenario and come up with options for less-than-perfect deals.
Look at your home commitments first before asking for something you might not be able to accommodate.
Be strategic, yet careful when you discuss ideas and options with colleagues.
For example, if you share a workload within a team, how could you do so within a less traditional model.
Try to put yourself in their moccasins!...
How can you create a solution that means all parties feel that they are benefiting.
If your job essentially allows you to complete certain tasks regardless of time, or what used to be known as a "job and finish" situation, determine whether you would be able to do this during your personal time as part of a newly revised schedule.
The more you can show your boss that you would be equally as productive, if not more productive by working a flexible schedule, the more the dinosaur is likely to stop chewing the vegetation and listen to you! You will find plenty of tips from niche working mums coaches via their online life coaching resources.
You can get expert help in formulating a strategic approach to flexible working via coaching for women.
Professional coaching is not just for sports players or executives anymore!